Chapter Ninety Six - Just Come Home
'But first…welcome home' the softness of his words gently nudged her to crumble into him. His arms squeezing her tightly as he just took a moment to hold her. He had always been the best welcome home committee. She sunk down into him, her hands loosely gripping at his jumper around his waist, her eyes closed tight as she held back her emotions. Her body leaning into her recharge point.
'Tough few days?' He whispered into her and she nodded delicately into him. He held her tighter, trying his best to use his body to show her she was secure in his arms. Elizabeth shifted on her feel as she stepped a little closer to him, her arms snaking around his waist and pressing against his back, pulling him closer to her. She inhaled his soothing scent deeply as his hands rubbed her back, relaxing her core.
He kissed the side of her head and gently pulled his head back to look at her but she shook her head 'Im not done' she mumbled, pulling him back into a hold as she nuzzled into him again. Henry chuckled softly and wrapped his protective embrace around her. 'I can stand here all night, take your time. I've got you' he reassured her. She pulled her head back up with a weary smile, her eyes saddened as she looked at him.
'I owe you an apology' she pressed her lips together but he shook his head
'No you don't, maybe an explanation, but not an apology' he smiled softly. Elizabeth looked at him, letting out a small puff of air mixed with a slight chuckle. 'What?' He quizzed
'We're learning about one another again, finding the ropes with this new version of us, how did you know, before I even knew, that I needed you to be here when I got home?' She asked and he smiled confidently
'Because somethings never change, you've always needed someone to come home too. I will always be that person Elizabeth. You can push and push however much you wish but I promise, I'm not leaving. Never again' he slipped a hand behind her neck, his thumb brushing against her cool cheek, caressing her as he spoke.
'You don't know that' her voice cracked
'Oh I do' he dipped down and brushed his lips against hers, lingering against her for a moment before drawing back 'I'll spend the rest of my life showing you that I am here, today, tomorrow, and every single second that follows until I take my very last breath. I just need you to trust me' he requested gently.
'I do, I know it doesn't seem like it, especially after today but I do, I just… I'm not even sure I know how to explain myself' she sighed with a little frustration as she slipped away from him and took her coat and shoes off.
'Well, that's what we are in therapy for, to help with things like that' he offered watching her. Her high waisted black trousers nipped at her waist as she began untucking her white blouse. Somehow her body looked tired and like her actions were zapping all the energy out of her. She walked over to him and pressed up on her tip toes, planting a kiss on his cheek before continuing on to the kitchen.
'I don't want to be in therapy, I want to be able to do it without hesitation. Why doesn't it come naturally?' She groaned, her calmed mood drifting further away as she rooted through the pantry for a drink, or rather a bottle to drink. Henry remained silent, letting her unravel a little, but cautiously monitoring her, ready to pull her ashore when she was reached deep waters.
'I get so irritated that I can't find the words, what is that? I am a successful woman, I negotiate and give speeches for a living, I'm used to speaking to people so why do I struggle like this?' She continued, her pauses for breath becoming shorter as she pulled out two glasses, pouring them both a very large glass of wine.
Henry pushed himself up on the counter, his eyes never leaving her as she lifted her glass, took a gulp and began pacing back and forth the island, her body brushing past his legs every few seconds.
'You know Blake told me to come home? Would I still be at the office if it wasn't for him? I judged you in that room earlier, in my head you were going to ruin this, you were going to yell at me for working to much, or too late but it was never you, It's me. I'm yelling at myself.' She snapped, walking back and forth hastily. On her return past him Henry pushed his leg out, blocking her path. At the same time his hand reached out and pulled her into him. His eyes locked on hers and he smiled down at her.
'Breathe' he reminded her. She inhaled deeply and let out a sharp puff of air. 'I know Blake told you to go home, he text me' he admitted and her eyes widened as she listened.
'He did?'
'He did, told me that you were on your way here and that I should call you and speak to you.' He relayed the text back to her
'But you were already here' she spoke softly, taking a sip of her wine.
'Thats what I told him' he winked and she giggled with him, dipping her head and shaking it at herself.
'Im so angry at myself Henry' she admitted shyly.
'But why? You have no need to be'
'It's not you I don't trust, It's me. I like working Henry, I love being busy and I enjoy being needed at State, being important, but seeing how that has affected us recently reminded me of how it affected us before the divorce. I just got so annoyed at myself because I want this with you, I want you but my job gets in the way, yet I can't give it up. So what does that mean?' She huffed, trying to make sense of her overthinking mind.
'Stop, you do not need to be irritated, angry or annoyed at yourself ok?' He removed the wine from her grasp and set it down with his, then captured her hands in his, squeezing them tightly. 'It means you worked god damn hard to get to where you are, and you're a bloody good secretary of state, don't you dare give it up. It doesn't mean anything Elizabeth, it's the way things go sometimes but it doesn't weaken our relationship, and us being here tonight instead of you being at work doesn't damage any of those waiting files on your desk.'
'How did you know there were files on my desk?' She chuckled through her watering eyes.
'Wild guess' he mocked and rolled his eyes. 'My point is, it doesn't matter if you're at the state department all night, in the situation room, at home here, at the farm, or in another country. It doesn't diminish our relationship, and if you want to hide in any of those places and avoid me after a difficult time then do it, because I'd rather know you're avoiding me because there is some difficult emotion you are trying to process, then for you to pretend and bury it in front of me. It doesn't matter how you spend your time, it matters that we come back together in the end.' His hands remained within hers, his eyes fixed on her face as she sighed in relief.
'We spent years apart when I was in deployment, it didn't mean I loved you any less, it gave me a reason to come home.' He smiled softly. Elizabeth pressed her lips together and nodded before pushing herself up and crashing her lips onto his. His hands grabbed at her waist as he welcomed her lips on his. Her hands gripped at his thighs as she allowed her love for him to consume them. She slowly began to withdrawn and smiled at him with so much love and admiration in her eyes.
'You make everything feel ok, you make it all make sense somehow, you always have. I was so lost with myself when you left' she admitted with a deep breath
'I'm glad I've found you now' he dipped his head, and spoke in hushed tones as his lips danced at her ears. She tilted her head and exposed her neck, allowing him to trail kissed down her skin.
'Hmm', she moaned as her eyes closed under his touch. Henry kissed his way back up her neck, along her jawline and to her lips.
'Just promise me one thing?' He asked
'Mhmm?'
'Promise me you'll always remember to come home to me eventually'
'What If I can't?' She worried, her self doubt crying out.
'You might not trust yourself, but I trust you.' He smiled and she raked her bottom lip through her teeth anxiously. 'Ok, how about this, you promise to come home to me eventually, and I'll promise that if you don't, I'll bring home to you?' He raised and eyebrow at her and watched as her self doubt rolled away, far out to sea as she smiled happily at him.
'I promise. Oh Henry, I promise' she tiptoed up once again and sealed their deal with a kiss.
AN: if any of you read my other story Avalanche, you will notice it has been removed from . thats my doing due to life getting in the way. I've only removed it to finish the story in my own time so you're not all waiting for me to finish. I will re-post once its competed.